Calling terrorism the "mother of all disruptions", India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that the challenge of terrorism was even more serious in the digital age when there was a greater propensity for radicalisation.

The external affairs minister was speaking at the General Rawat was speaking at India's flagship geo-political conference, Raisina Dialogue, in New Delhi.

"Terrorism is undeniably the mother of all disruptions today. Our attitude towards terrorism has evolved in the last few decades. The challenge of terrorism is even more serious in the digital age with greater propensity to radicalisation," the external affairs minister said.

Sushma Swaraj also said that terrorism was no longer viewed as "other's problem" or a "law and order situation" and was also used as an instrument of statecraft, stating "that time has gone long by".

She also said that after the 9/11 attack, "we associate terrorism with ungoverned spaces."

"We are all now clear that terrorism anywhere can threaten societies anywhere," she said.

The external affairs minister said that terrorism from governed spaces is much more dangerous and said that the problem will not spare its originators and practitioners.

Sushma Swaraj concluded by saying that the message was particularly relevant for those who feel that terrorism can be an instrument of convenience.

Story highlights

Calling terrorism the 'mother of all disruptions', India's external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj said that the challenge of terrorism was even more serious in the digital age when there was a greater propensity for radicalisation